Where invasion, aid, and piecemeal democracy have only partially succeeded, cricket had its own moment as a unifying force in one of the world's most fractured regions on Friday afternoon. Afghanistan's one-day international match against Pakistan in Sharjah was their first against a Test playing nation and it proved a hugely popular success, with even the Taliban – who once banned cricket along with all other sports – sending a formal message of support to the team management.

Pakistan won the match by seven wickets, but it is the noisy enthusiasm of Afghan supporters both inside the Sharjah Cricket Stadium and in the country itself via saturation-level TV coverage that will endure as the most significant part of the day.

The country's minister of finance, Dr Omar Zakhilwal told ESPN Cricinfo: "There is nothing that can touch cricket in popularity or as a force for good in Afghanistan. There is absolutely nothing else that mobilises our society in the same way. Not politics, political events or reconstruction. Between 80-90% of kids will be watching this game and they play it on every street. President Karzai is watching and has phoned several times to get the latest news. Even the opposition Taliban have sent a message of support. Their spokesman said we are praying for the success of the team."

It is a potentially galvanizing moment that cricket in Afghanistan would do well to pursue and build upon: there are to date no further one-day internationals against full ICC members lined up, nor are Afghanistan yet deemed worthy of competing in the Asia Cup alongside India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Cricket has a long informal history in Afghanistan. The game was introduced in the 19th century by British troops during the Anglo-Afghan wars, after which it effectively disappeared from the scene until the 1990s when Afghan refugees in Pakistan caught the bug and formed the Afghanistan Cricket Federation. In the last 12 years Afghanistan has become an affiliate member of the ICC, earning official one-day international status in April 2009.

Despite evidence of real talent within the populace – the fast bowler Hamid Hassan has impressed as an MCC young cricketer and has a fine burgeoning first-class record – further progress will have to come in the face of an absence of home international cricket due to security concerns and a paucity of playing resources.

Despite this the game is still hugely popular, with an expanding domestic league and much enthusiasm for both playing and watching the sport among young Afghans. The world's grandest powers have spent almost 200 years attempting to capture and colonise this most elusive nation. When it comes to hearts and minds cricket already looks to be doing a little better than most.